International Women’s Day: NDDC sets to discover, inspire women in Niger-Delta

Mrs. Ibim Seminitari

As part of activities designed to celebrate the 2016 annual International Women’s Day (IWD), The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is set to inspire and celebrate the achievements of women within the Niger-Delta Region of the country.

Celebrated globally every March 8, the day is marked out to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. It is a day to celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

Highlighting women development as part of the objectives on the commission, the acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Seminitari noted that, “The NDDC facilitates all-round development of the Niger Delta and its people and the mandate for women development is an aspect that is equally given huge priority with the agency and must not be neglected”.

“As part of the agenda for women development in 2016, the commission will mark the International Women’s Day with activities that will help Inspire, and Celebrate women of the Niger Delta Region and their endeavours”, she added.

Speaking on the rationale and objectives for the commission’s celebration of the International Women’s Day, the Director, Youth and Women Development at the commission, Mr. Ephraim Offiong noted that, “Our primary objective is to consistently encourage and celebrate the achievements of women within the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria by stimulating awareness and building knowledge on gender and leadership inclusion.

“As part of our plans this year, we have identified major platforms to reach out to the women of the Niger Delta; one of which is a stage drama titled, Little Drops by Professor Yerima. This drama which takes a look at the Niger Delta from the perspective of women – the neglected innocent victims of the war of contradictions in the region, will be performed in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, and Calabar. We have also identified a few women and their contributions to the Niger Delta Region.

Ibim, who recently took over leadership at the Commission said further: “We seek to use these platforms of celebrations to “Identify entry points for advancing the role of women in the Niger Delta Region and expand the network of champions and advocates within the Niger Delta and beyond”.

“The development in the Niger Delta is incomplete without due recognition of the role of women in various capacity and the neglect of women in issues that directly affect them will undermine government and non-governmental efforts at the development of the region”. This is a call for the need to give women a chance; recognize their inputs and adequately involve them directly in policy issues that affect them.” She disclosed.